Xpect Performance

Clinton Shum
  • 0.0 (0)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Dedicated to hearing unique guests sharing their stories of success, but more importantly, their learning experiences. The Xpect Performance Podcast encourages story telling and sharing that is vulnerable and relatable to inspire you to live the life that you know you're capable of living. 

  1. JAN 26

    #83- Rich Mulholland: How Purpose and Potential is Holding You Back

    In this episode, Rich Mulholland shares his insights on redefining purpose and potential, emphasizing the importance of living a purposeful life rather than having a singular purpose. He discusses the societal pressures of having a defined purpose and how it can lead to stress and anxiety. Rich also explores the concept of potential, arguing that success should be measured against one's intent rather than potential, and shares personal stories of growth and self-discovery. Takeaways Purpose should be about living a purposeful life, not having a singular purpose.Societal pressures to have a defined purpose can lead to stress and anxiety.Success should be measured against one's intent, not potential.Potential is always further than where you are, making it a flawed measure of success.Living with intent allows for personal victories and growth.Personal growth often comes from overcoming challenges and adversity.The duality of life involves balancing order and chaos, happiness and struggle.Social media accelerates the spread of ideas without critical thinking.Being useful and relevant is key to avoiding loneliness and maintaining mental wellness.Defining personal victory conditions helps in achieving meaningful success. Check Rich out below: ⁠(7) Richard Mulholland | LinkedIn⁠⁠ Home - Rich Mulholland ⁠⁠Rich Mulholland - YouTube⁠ Chapters: (00:00) Intro  (04:30) The Problem with Purpose (07:30) Understanding Potential (13:30) Defining Success (24:30) Voluntary Hardship (34:00) The Best is Yet to Come (45:00) The Question of Self-Worth (53:00) Status & Psychedelics (01:06:30) Profit and Purpose (01:11:00) Relevance and Loneliness If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show.  Much love,  Clint

    1h 29m

  2. JAN 12

    #82- The Season That Changed Everything — Michael Hollick’s Story

    Michael Hollick’s career is proof that progress in professional sport is rarely linear. Turning professional in 2011, Michael spent more than a decade grinding on the Sunshine Tour before finally earning his DP World Tour card for the first time — a milestone that almost never came. In this conversation, Michael opens up about the season where everything nearly fell apart, how close he came to losing his tour card, and the uncomfortable changes that forced a complete reset in both mindset and approach. We dive into how he’s evolved as an athlete by diversifying the way he earns, removing pressure from performance, and building a more sustainable model for success. Michael also reflects on how becoming a father to two young daughters reshaped his priorities and ultimately improved the way he competes. This episode is a masterclass in patience, adaptation, and long-term thinking — for athletes, entrepreneurs, and anyone navigating uncertainty while chasing something meaningful. Follow Mike's journey below: ⁠Instagram  ⁠If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.  Much love,  Clint

    1h 8m

  3. 12/29/2025

    #81- The Art of Coaching Culture with Ben Herring

    In this episode, I welcome Ben Herring to discuss the intricacies of coaching culture. They explore the concept of culture as an environment suitable for growth, drawing parallels between team dynamics and biological cultures in a petri dish. The conversation delves into the importance of psychological safety within teams, emphasizing how it fosters open communication and growth. Ben shares insights from his coaching journey, highlighting the need for adaptability and understanding cultural differences when leading diverse teams. The episode concludes with reflections on the role of curiosity and encouragement in personal and professional development. Chapters: (01:41) Introduction (03:54) Coaching Culture and Standard Questions (11:38) Establishing Ground Zero in New Teams (16:22) Transition from Player to Coach (22:37) Default Settings and Personal Growth (26:21) Hierarchical Structures in Rugby Coaching (31:35) Psychological Safety and Safe Conflict (38:09) Ritualize to Actualize (43:18) Authenticity and Curiosity in Coaching (48:11) Changing Perspectives and Parenting Follow Ben below: Coaching Culture with Ben Herring - YouTube (1) Ben Herring | LinkedIn Coaching Culture My best, Clint

    57 min

  4. 12/15/2025

    #80- Barry Hilton: When the Laughs Fade- Reflections on Mental Health and Comedy

    In this episode of the Xpect Performance Podcast, I sit down with South African comedy icon Barry Hilton for a conversation that goes far beyond the punchlines. Barry reflects on living intentionally, the role humour plays in coping with life’s challenges, and the unseen craft behind crowd work and connection. We unpack the reality of dealing with negative feedback, the pressure of maintaining an on-stage persona, and the emotional mismatch many performers experience between who they are in public and who they are in private. Barry speaks candidly about comedy’s relationship with depression, the flawed pursuit of constant happiness, and why discomfort and criticism are often part of the deal. The conversation closes with Barry sharing the thinking behind his new keynote and the deeper message he hopes to leave audiences with — one rooted in honesty, perspective, and embracing life’s ultimate ironies. This is a thoughtful, human conversation about performance, identity, and what it really means to live well. Check Barry out below: ⁠Barry Hilton - Life in 3D⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠(2)  Facebook⁠⁠(2)  Barry Hilton | LinkedIn ⁠⁠Barry Hilton (@barry_hilton) | TikTok⁠ Chapters: (00:00) Living Intentionally (18:15) The Importance of Humour (24:15) Crowd Work (30:00) Dealing with Negative Feedback (37:00) The Happiness Fallacy  (41:20) Talking on Comedy vs Depression (48:00) The On-Stage Persona Mismatch (51:30) It's Part of the Deal (58:00) The Ultimate Irony of Life (62:30) Barry's New Keynote Please subscribe and share. Much love,  Clint

    1h 15m

  5. 11/29/2025

    #79- Simon Grainger: Your Brand Is Who You Are: Clarity, Alignment & Growth

    This episode with Simon Grainger explores how brand strategy and personal growth follow the same path: clarity, alignment, and evolution. Simon breaks down what a brand really is and how staying true to your values builds both trust and momentum. We look at the importance of understanding what you stand for both as an individual and as a company, how to spot the gap between who you are and what you project, and why growth requires intentional change. Simon also shares when it’s time to rebrand, how to evolve without confusing your audience, and a simple framework anyone can use to strengthen their personal brand. A practical, grounded conversation for anyone wanting to live — and lead — with more purpose and consistency. Check Simon out below: (3) Simon Grainger | LinkedIn Simon Grainger I Brand Consulting, Workshops & Talks Chapters: (00:00) Introduction to Branding (05:00) The Value of Empathy (08:00) Why Personal Branding? (10:15) Changing of Opinions (13:00) Fundamentals of Branding (16:30) What Do You Stand For? (21:00) Examples of Brand Disconnection (23:30) How to Scale a Brand? (27:15) Favourite Brands (34:15) When Is It Time to Rebrand? (38:00) How to Stay Relevant (41:00) Establishing Goodwill (52:00) What Does Simon Stand For? If you enjoyed the share, please subscribe.  Much love,  Clint

    56 min

  6. 11/17/2025

    #78- Prof Sue Goldstein: The True Cost of Health in South Africa

    Introducing Prof Susan Goldstein, a public health specialist, health economist, and Division Director of PRICELESS SA at Wits University. Susan’s work sits at the intersection of health, economics, and policy — helping South Africa make smarter, fairer decisions about which health interventions truly save lives, reduce inequality, and offer the greatest long-term impact. The conversation explores how industries strategically target young consumers and why early habits are so strongly influenced by marketing design. Susan breaks down health economics in simple, everyday terms, explaining how the field evaluates the cost of prevention versus the cost of cure — and why governments often delay investing in preventive measures even when the numbers clearly support it. They dive into the political claims around employment and how corporations use job-loss narratives to resist health regulations. Susan also unpacks the sophisticated tactics these companies use to maintain influence, from bundling products to shaping public perception through contradictory marketing that promotes both unhealthy products and wellness messaging. The discussion moves into behavioural science — how governments can “nudge” the public toward better choices, and why some interventions fail despite good intentions. Susan talks through the potential of clearer front-of-pack “robot labelling” systems, the impact of sugar-tax research, and the challenges of driving prevention in a system that rewards short-term wins. Towards the end, the conversation becomes more personal, as Susan reflects on the motivations that guide her work, the moments that have shaped her perspective, and what meaningful progress looks like in a health system battling inequality. She shares honest insights about the tension between ethics, evidence, and policy — and what she would change first if given the chance. This episode offers a powerful blend of economics, ethics, and real-world public-health strategy — with practical lessons for anyone interested in how healthier societies are built. You can find more about Sue and Priceless SA below: PRICELESS SA (5) Sue Goldstein | LinkedIn Chapters: (00:00) Intro  (03:30) Targeting Young Consumers  (07:30) What is Health Economics?  (10:00) The Cost of Preventing vs Cure  (14:00) The Employment Debate  (16:45) Corporate Tactics  (20:00) Why is Prevention not prioritised?  (26:00) What doesn’t work?  (31:00) How do we nudge the public in the right direction?  (41:15) The bundling of products  (44:20) The Contradictions of Marketing  (47:00) The Robot Labelling System  (50:30) Self Reflection on Motivation  (53:30) Research on Sugar Tax  (56:00) What Would Sue Do?  If you enjoyed the episode, please share it.  Much love,  Clint

    1h 1m

  7. 11/03/2025

    #77- Zanele Njapha- The Power of Unlearning: Why Letting Go Is the Real Growth

    In this episode, I sit down with Zanele Njapha, widely known as The UnLearning Lady, to explore the art of letting go — of habits, beliefs, and assumptions that no longer serve us.  We unpack why unlearning is often harder than learning, how leaders can support change without forcing it, and what it truly takes to evolve as individuals and teams. From reframing failure to monitoring your default thoughts, this is a conversation that challenges the stories we tell ourselves — and reminds us that growth begins where certainty ends. 🧭 Topics Covered The power of changing our minds without guiltHow to observe and reframe default thoughtsWhy failure can be feedback, not finalThe courage it takes to let go before moving forwardHow leaders can support change instead of enforcing itThe difference between individual and collective unlearningMisconceptions that hold people back from true growthZanele’s hard truths and personal lessons in unlearningChapters: (00:00) Intro  (05:00) The Importance of Changing Your Mind (07:00) Monitoring Our Default Thoughts (09:30) Reframing Failure (13:00) Why Do We Revert to Default? (19:00) The Importance of Noticing (24:30) Mental Wellness Practices (29:00) Begin With the End in Mind (36:00) Unlearning in Group vs Individual (42:00) Misconceptions of Unlearning (45:30) Zanele’s Hard Truths to Unlearn (54:45) What Would You Wish For? Check out Zanele below: (3) Zanele Njapha | LinkedIn Instagram Unlocking Potential, Inspiring Change 🎧 Listen Now Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Follow Xpect Performance for conversations that challenge convention — and help you perform, think, and lead better. Much love,  Clint

    59 min

  8. 10/20/2025

    #76- How to Be Happy in a World of Comparison

    Have you ever felt worse after scrolling through social media — even when nothing in your life actually changed? In this episode of The Xpect Performance Podcast, I unpack one of the biggest modern happiness traps: comparison. From the biology behind why we compare, to how social media distorts our self-worth, this episode explores how to stop measuring your life by someone else’s ruler — and start building your own definition of success. You’ll hear timeless insights from psychology, stories from rock legends Dave Mustaine and Pete Best, and practical tools to shift from comparison to contentment. Because happiness doesn’t come from being the best — it comes from becoming better. Key Takeaways Comparison is hardwired, but it’s up to you where to direct it.Social media amplifies insecurity by showing curated realities.True success is internal — not measured by likes, followers, or wealth.Happiness grows when you focus on trajectory, not results.Compare yourself to who you were yesterday — not to who someone else is today.Resources: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0oxcpQG9nTwaAxXOMCfYrG?si=q_gkx8VxThONocuyJluF5g PS. Did you enjoy this episode? Leave a comment and share with one friend.  Much love,  Clint

    13 min
See All (84)

About

Dedicated to hearing unique guests sharing their stories of success, but more importantly, their learning experiences. The Xpect Performance Podcast encourages story telling and sharing that is vulnerable and relatable to inspire you to live the life that you know you're capable of living. 

Information

  • Creator
    Clinton Shum
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    84
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Xpect Performance
  • Show Website
    Xpect Performance